1968 Ford Mustang for sale $285,000

• One of the 50 original factory 135 Mustang lightweights
• One of only six original 135 lightweights to race at the 1968 Winternationals in Pomona
• One of only two 135 lightweights to reach the 1968 finals
• Driven by legendary driver Gas Ronda
• Thought to have competed at every Winternationals from 1968 andndash; 1986
• Purchased by Leo Roy after the 1968 Winternationals for $1.00 who drove it to the Division 4 Championship in 1970
• Purchased in 1971 by Lloyd Bray and D.G. Gillam
• Holds two NHRA National Records
• Purchased in 1987 by Danny and Mary Girolomo
• Comprehensive restoration done in 2002 by Randamp;R Restorations
• Shown at Fordandrsquo;s 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2003
• Won Award of Excellence at the Mustang 40th Anniversary in Nashville in 2004
• Won multiple show awards from 2003 through 2005
• Shown on the cover of National Dragster on July 20, 1984
• Centerfold feature done in Muscle Car Review, winter 2006

The historical importance of this car to the evolution of drag racing cannot be overstated. It is on loan to the Gilmore Car Museum at Hickory Corners, Michigan near Kalamazoo and is currently on display in the hospitality building at US 131 Motorsports Park, 1249 12th Street, Martin, MI 49070, (269) 672-7800.

It began its Drag Racing life in February 1968 at the Pomona NHRA Winternationals, driven by legendary driver Gas Ronda. It was one of only two CJandrsquo;s to make it to the SS/EA finals in its debut where Ronda lost to Dick Landy in S/N XXX050. This was one of only six CJ Mustangs to race at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California and the only one thought to have competed at every Pomona Winternationals from 1968 to 1986.

After the 1968 Winternationals, the car was purchased for $1.00 by Leo Roy who drove it to the Division 4 Championship in 1970. Lloyd Bray and D.G. Gillam purchased it in 1971 and over the course of the next 17 years they set two NHRA National Records:

• July 25, 1981, Brainerd International Raceway, SS/F 10.45 seconds at 128.74 MPH
• April 23, 1983, Pueblo Motorsports Park, SS/G 10.44 seconds at 127.55 MPH

The car was purchased from D.G. Gillam and Lloyd Bray in 1987 by the current owners who spent the next 16 years meticulously researching, locating and purchasing parts to do a complete restoration of the car to honor its original 1968 heritage. Once they had the parts and the funds, the restoration began and was completed in 2003 by Randamp;R Restorations just in time for Fordandrsquo;s 100th Anniversary Show.

The car was pictured on the cover of National Dragster on July 20, 1984, and in winter of 2006, Muscle Car Review did a centerfold and feature article on the restored Gas Ronda Cobra Jet.

This is one of the six original lightweight 1968 Winternationals Mustang CJandrsquo;s and has been fully restored and has complete ownership, restoration and racing history documentation as well as the original VIN plate.

Don Fezells Daddy Warbucks, one of the original 50 Cobra Jet Lightweights just sold in Januaryat the Mecum Kissimee Auction for $245K. This car is not only one of the 50, but is one of six to race at the 68 Winternationals and one of the two to reach the finals.

This important piece of drag racing history is currently being offered for sale. Included with the sale is a helmet autographed by Edsel Ford, Carroll Shelby, legendary Funny Car drivers John Force and Dale Pulde, and Hall of Fame NHRA Announcer Dave McClelland.

Complete documentation is available to serious potential buyers. All reasonable offers will be carefully considered.